Drainage system for use in building construction

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

p-0002This invention generally relates to systems, such as are used in association with cavity wall construction, which function to reduce or prevent water damage entering or trapped in the wall. More particularly, the invention is directed to a system which includes flashing elements which function to direct water from a wall in which it is installed, drainage elements associated with the flashing elements to direct water from the flashing and additional elements to prevent mortar and debris from interfering with drainage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

p-0003The present invention is at least applicable to so-called cavity wall construction. Cavity walls may be composed of two wythes of masonry, usually brick and concrete block, which may be secured together by, for example, metal ties and spaced apart by a cavity between the wythes. The inner wall may be constructed from wood with an inner surface of drywall, structural clay tile, vertical stacks of mortared bricks or blocks, or a shear concrete surface, for example. The outer wall is typically formed of bricks and held together by mortar. A space, or cavity, exists between the two walls, in part for drainage purposes and which may also be partially filled with insulation. It is applicant's understanding that the Brick Institute defines a “cavity wall” as having a space greater than about 2 inches but not more than 4 inches between the wythes. However, the present invention is useful in spaces between inner and outer walls spaced apart less than 2 inches, and more than 4 inches.

p-0004In conventional cavity wall construction, flashing is typically installed atop the foundation and weep holes are formed to collect moisture and drain the cavity. Moisture may penetrate the exterior wythe of the wall through a number of places, including top caps, copings, sills, windows, and may penetrate the wall itself through cracks or weaknesses, for example. It is well established that moisture is undesirable in brick or similar wall construction. The presence of water in freezing temperatures may cause cracks in the wall when water expands as it freezes. Trapped water may cause discolorations and other problems, and may even migrate into the dwelling. Another hazard of failing to deal with water is the formation of mold. It is widely accepted that mold growth can damage a building or render the building uninhabitable for various reasons. These reasons include a dangerous situation where the mold growth produces toxins and/or allergens sufficient to sicken inhabitants.

p-0005To overcome the problems associated with trapped water, weep holes are commonly included along the base of the outer side of and in the lowermost course of bricks or other masonry units. The weep holes allow water to pass from inside the wall. Also, the weep holes permit water to drain outside the wall structure. A flashing disposed in the wall cavity directs the collected water toward the weep holes.

p-0006A problem of cavity wall construction occurs during construction of a cavity wall, when excess mortar and other debris falls into the cavity. When the bricks or blocks are stacked during the erection of the wall, for example, mortar droppings are squeezed into the cavity. The excess mortar materials, as well as other debris, such as insulation, drops to the base of the cavity, and can block weep holes. The same problem can reduce the effectiveness of flashing. To address this problem, inserts, generically be referred to as a cavity mortar collection device, may be used in the cavity. Successful devices designed to address the problem of moisture and debris in cavity wall construction are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Re. 36,676, incorporated herein by reference.

p-0007A major consideration of construction is, of course, cost. A substantial cost may be associated with the time it takes for installation of some flashing devices and cavity inserts. The complexity of some of these moisture and debris control solutions can be a substantial factor adding cost to the construction of cavity walls. The present invention is directed to solving one or more of the problems discussed above, in a novel and simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

p-0008In accordance with the invention, there is provided a flashing and drainage system for use in cavity wall construction, including a flashing member, which is sized and shaped to be received within a cavity of the wall and over the base member. The flashing member includes a lower flashing portion which is oriented generally horizontally when atop a foundation portion of the wall and an upper flashing portion which is oriented generally vertically, and preferably snugly, within the cavity of the wall. A plurality of weep tabs are positioned on the lower flashing portion and spaced apart to correspond to weep holes formed through the wall and a plurality of porous bodies are positioned on the upper flashing portion. Each of the plurality of porous bodies have a porosity sufficient to permit water to pass therethrough but substantially insufficient to permit mortar and debris to pass therethrough, each of the plurality of porous bodies being positioned to protect a corresponding one of the plurality of weep tabs.

p-0009Other aspects of the flashing and drainage system provide a drip edge formed at a distal end of the lower flashing portion. The system may further include a base portion, which is sized and shaped to fit underneath the flashing member. A pair of end dams may be formed at opposite ends of the flashing member. One or more reinforcing member may be attached adjacent an upper edge of the upper flashing portion to reinforce the upper flashing portion. Each of the plurality of weep tabs may be provided as individual strips of material. The plurality of weep tabs may also be attached at a proximal end to a common body portion of material. The system may also include further a plurality of corner pieces sized and shaped to cover a corner of a foundation underneath a cavity wall construct and adapted to abut the base portion to form a base for a plurality of the flashing members when the flashing members are placed end to end over the base portions and the corner pieces. The corner pieces may be both outer corner pieces and outer corner pieces.

p-0010Further features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the specification and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a conventional cavity wall construction in cross section;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows a perspective view of a flashing and drainage assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a perspective view of a flashing and drainage assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> shows a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> shows a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a corner assembly usable with any of the embodiments shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2-7</figref>; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows alternate embodiments of a mesh body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

p-0021A cavity wall <b>10</b>, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> may consist of two wythes <b>12</b>, <b>14</b> of masonry built upon a foundation <b>24</b>. The two wythes are separated by an air space <b>16</b>. The interior wythe (the inner wall) <b>12</b> may be brick, hollow brick, structural clay tile, wood or hollow or solid concrete masonry units, for example. The exterior wythe <b>14</b> (the outer wall) may be brick. A cavity <b>16</b> is defined between the two wythes, i.e., between inner or interior faces <b>20</b>, <b>22</b> of outer and inner walls <b>14</b>, <b>12</b> respectively. The cavity <b>16</b> may be either provided with insulation or left open as air space. The cavity <b>16</b> has a typical width of about 2 to about 4½ inches, but could be smaller, although non-standard. Of course, the wall <b>10</b> may be brick or block construction and may have components formed from wood, stud, steel stud and other construction techniques, materials and methods, which include a cavity <b>16</b> or the equivalent.

p-0022As mentioned above, a common problem associated with a cavity wall construction is how to allow moisture, as from seepage or condensation, for example, to pass from the cavity <b>16</b> to outside the wall <b>10</b>. Weep holes <b>18</b> are formed to provide an unobstructed opening passing from the cavity to the outside of the wall. Generally, the weep holes <b>18</b> will be placed approximately one to two feet apart at the base of the outer wall <b>14</b>. It has been found that moisture collecting in the cavity tends to run down the inside face <b>20</b> of the outer wall <b>14</b>.

p-0023In the course of construction of a cavity wall <b>10</b>, mortar and other debris (not shown will commonly fall into the cavity <b>16</b> between the inner wall <b>12</b> and outer wall <b>14</b>. If enough mortar builds up around the weep holes <b>18</b>, or if it simply lodges in the weep holes, the weep holes will become plugged, causing water to pond between the walls <b>12</b>, <b>14</b>. The water can then leak into the foundation <b>24</b>, building structure, or cause cracking, deterioration and/or discoloration of the walls.

p-0024Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>, a drainage system <b>30</b> is illustrated for use in connection with cavity wall construction. The drainage system <b>30</b> includes three main parts, which will be described in detail below, with a number of additional elements optionally associated therewith and forming various embodiments of the invention. The system <b>30</b> includes flashing member <b>32</b>. The flashing member <b>32</b> is provided with one or more weep tabs <b>34</b>. The flashing member <b>32</b> also includes one or more vertical mesh members <b>36</b>.

p-0025The flashing member <b>32</b> may be any conventional flashing material, for example stainless steel, cold-rolled copper, lead coated copper, galvanized steel, copper laminates and other metals, for example, aluminum, EPDM (man-made rubber), rubberized asphalt, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other plastics and composite materials. Preferably, the flashing member <b>32</b> is formed of modified bitumen and more preferably, includes a “peel-and-stick” type adhesive and protective backing sheet (not shown) on a backside <b>38</b> thereof.

p-0026The flashing member <b>32</b> shown is rectangular and may advantageously be about 5-7 feet in length and includes a lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and a more upright upper flashing portion <b>42</b>. The flashing member <b>32</b> may be other lengths as needed or desired. The lower flashing portion <b>40</b> is positioned over the top of a foundation of a building or the like, or a lower course of bricks, or blocks and so on. The upper flashing portion <b>42</b> is positioned generally vertically in a wall cavity <b>16</b> and spaced from an inside face <b>20</b> of the outer wythe <b>14</b> and in contact with an inner face <b>22</b> of the inner wythe <b>12</b> and keep spaced from the inside face <b>20</b> of the outer wythe <b>14</b> by pressure between the brick of the outer wythe and the mesh material <b>36</b>.

p-0027The weep tabs <b>34</b> are positioned atop the lower flashing portion and are sized, shaped and spaced to extend through the weep holes <b>18</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) of wall <b>10</b>. The tabs <b>34</b> are formed of a porous and/or wicking material, like an open mesh plastic, cotton, wool or hemp material capable of functioning to transmit water from atop the flashing <b>32</b> and out the weep holes <b>18</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In the illustrated embodiment, the weep tabs <b>34</b> are separate strips of material.

p-0028The vertical mesh bodies <b>36</b> are positioned on the upper flashing portions <b>42</b> and spaced in a manner to deflect and/or prevent debris and mortar from occluding the tabs <b>34</b>. Furthermore, the depth of the vertical bodies <b>36</b> are provided so as to space the vertical flashing portion <b>42</b> from the inner face <b>20</b> of the outer wall <b>14</b> and generally adjacent the inner face <b>22</b> of the inner wall <b>12</b>. In one example, the vertical bodies <b>36</b> are about 1 inch thick.

p-0029The vertical bodies <b>36</b> may be formed of any suitable fibroid water permeable material <b>28</b>. The material of the vertical bodies <b>36</b> should resist compression when under the weight of debris and mortar and continue to permit water to pass through. In this embodiment, each body <b>36</b> has a generally rectangular shape that will rest flush against the wall <b>14</b>. The width of the body <b>36</b> may roughly determined by or correspond to the width of the cavity <b>16</b>. Other shapes, which will be shown in more detail below include square, trapezoid, triangular, inverted trapezoid and triangular, hourglass and wineglass shaped as well as other shapes, for example, smooth or curved shapes.

p-0030The body <b>36</b> is preferably composed of non-absorbent plastic, such as, for example, the filament-type plastic used to surface walk-off mats. These materials are preferred because they are water-impervious, relatively inexpensive and can be formed into dividable blocks or sheets. A quantity of one or more of these materials can be formed into a mass of random fibers with a density which is sufficient to catch and support mortar and other debris thereon without significant collapse, but allow water to pass freely therethrough. An objective of the vertical mesh bodies <b>36</b> is to separate clumps of mortar and debris and direct the mortar and debris away from the weep tabs <b>34</b> and ultimately prevent mortar and debris from preventing the egress of water from within the cavity <b>16</b>.

p-0031The porosity of the body <b>36</b> made from the fibrous material can be quite varied, so long as it effectively serves to strain out the mortar and debris before it reaches the weep holes <b>16</b>. Most mortar and debris will be quite large, i.e., greater than ⅛ or 1/16 of an inch or clearly visible to the naked eye, so an amount of porosity sufficient to catch such relatively large particulate matter will suffice to prevent plugging of the weep holes <b>16</b>.

p-0032The drainage system <b>30</b> of this invention may simply be positioned on the wall foundation in cavity <b>16</b> without the need of any fixation device. In the alternate, the device <b>30</b> may be caulked in place. In yet another embodiment, the flashing backside <b>38</b> may be supplied with a pressure sensitive adhesive, which is protected by a backing sheet (not shown). Pressure sensitive adhesives are well known.

p-0033The drainage system <b>30</b> illustrated includes other features. The lower flashing portion <b>40</b> may include a drip edge <b>44</b> at a leading edge thereof. The drip edge <b>44</b> is preferably stainless steel, although other suitable materials are contemplated by the invention, such as copper, aluminum, plastic, elastomeric materials, and so on. The drip edge <b>44</b> may be a strip of material, such as stainless steel bonded or otherwise connected to the bottom of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> or may be an extended lip formed from the flashing portion itself. The lower edge <b>46</b> of the drip edge <b>44</b> is turned down vertically, preferably about 75 degrees, and may be plain or rolled back to provide a finished edge.

p-0034The drainage system <b>30</b> may include a base <b>48</b>, which may function as a pan or the like, underneath the flashing <b>32</b>, which includes a horizontal base portion <b>50</b> and a back leg portion <b>52</b>. The horizontal base portion <b>52</b> is rectangular and is positioned underneath the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and may extend to a position adjacent the drip edge <b>44</b>. The back leg <b>52</b>, which preferably is inclined about 30 degrees, forms a dam at the back edge thereof and also causes the flashing member <b>32</b> to be inclined at the juncture of the lower and upper portions <b>40</b>, <b>42</b>, so as to encourage the egress of water from the flashing and out weep holes <b>16</b>. The back leg <b>52</b> prevents water that infiltrates past the flashing <b>32</b> to enter the foundation. As will be shown in more detail below, the back leg <b>52</b> may be an angled piece, a separate piece or a triangular piece to produce a dam effect in the base <b>48</b> and alternately in the base and flashing <b>32</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the base <b>46</b> and drip edge <b>44</b> are formed from a single sheet of material (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref>), but also may be separate (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>).

p-0035At a top edge <b>54</b> of the upper portion <b>42</b> of flashing <b>32</b> one or more rigid horizontal bars <b>56</b> may be optionally provided to enhance the rigidity of the flashing upper portion. The horizontal bars <b>56</b> function to prevent the upper portion <b>42</b> of the flashing <b>32</b> from drooping or being dislodged from against the inner surface <b>22</b> of inner wall <b>12</b>. The bar <b>56</b> may be cylindrical or rectangular, for example, and affixed to the upper portion <b>42</b> by adhesives or fasteners, like screws. The bar <b>56</b> may be provided in a pocket or hem of the flashing material and also may be affixed to the inside surface <b>22</b> of the inner wall <b>12</b> by screws, anchors, or other fasteners, for example.

p-0036A pair of end dams <b>58</b> is formed at opposite ends of the lower portion <b>40</b> of the flashing <b>32</b> to raise the end sections of the flashing. Like the back leg <b>52</b>, the end dams <b>58</b> function to direct water off the flashing and away from the foundation. The end dams <b>58</b> may be formed by turning edges of the flashing material <b>40</b> upwardly or inserting some thickness of material underneath the flashing.

p-0037An extension <b>60</b> of the base <b>48</b> is provided for joining together in an end-to-end fashion multiple units <b>30</b>. The extension <b>60</b> is preferably about 4 inches long, but may be anywhere from about 1 inch to 6 inches or more. When adjacent units <b>30</b> are joined, the ends of the flashing <b>32</b> are covered with a waterproof tape-like material, like a 4-inch strip of modified bitumen to provide a seal over the joint. The base extension <b>60</b> ensures that any water coming through the joint will be directed away from the wall.

p-0038The device <b>130</b> shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is similar to that shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> except that the weep tabs <b>34</b> are all formed and extend from a common body portion <b>162</b>A formed of the same material as the weep tabs. The common body portion <b>162</b>A is positioned on the flashing <b>32</b> on the lower panel <b>40</b> thereof so as to align the tabs <b>34</b> with vertical mesh towers <b>36</b>, which themselves are positioned in a spaced configuration on the vertical or upper panel of the flashing. Similarly, the vertical mesh bodies <b>36</b> may be joined at lower edges thereof from a common body portion <b>162</b>B.

p-0039<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> shows one embodiment of the invention in a more basic form. The device <b>30</b> includes an L-shaped flashing member <b>32</b>. The flashing member <b>32</b> includes a lower flashing portion <b>40</b> which is generally horizontal and is sized and shaped to fit over the top of a foundation or the like. An upper flashing portion <b>42</b> extends upwardly from a back edge of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and is adapted, sized and shaped to fit within a wall cavity and lean against, be adhered to or fastened to the face of an interior wall <b>22</b> facing the cavity <b>16</b>.

p-0040One or more weep tabs <b>34</b> are positioned on the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and spaced and/or positioned to cooperate with weep holes <b>18</b> in an outer wythe <b>14</b> of wall <b>10</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). A vertical mesh body <b>36</b> is positioned on the upper flashing portion <b>42</b> to cooperate with each of the weep tabs <b>34</b> and prevent debris and mortar from occluding the effectiveness of the weep tabs from removing water from atop the flashing <b>32</b>. The vertical mesh body <b>36</b> also functions to space the upper flashing portion <b>42</b> from an inner face <b>20</b> of outer wall <b>14</b> and against the wall face <b>22</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

p-0041<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows the device <b>30</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> with the addition of a drip edge <b>44</b>. As above, the drip edge <b>44</b> may be a separate piece formed of a material like stainless steel, modified bitumen or the equivalent, or may be a turned down lip of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> of the flashing member <b>32</b>.

p-0042<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> shows the device <b>30</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> with the addition of base <b>48</b>. Like the drip edge <b>44</b> the base <b>48</b> is preferably made of a water impervious material, like stainless steel or an equivalent thereof. The base <b>48</b> is positioned underneath the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and drip edge <b>46</b>. The base <b>48</b> includes a flat horizontal portion <b>50</b> and a rear leg <b>52</b> which functions to elevate the rear section of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and direct water thereon towards and out through weep holes <b>18</b> in the outer wall <b>14</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). In this embodiment, the distal end <b>46</b> of the drip edge <b>44</b> is curved back to provide a smooth edge and resist the tendency for water to reenter the foundation <b>24</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) once arriving at the drip edge.

p-0043<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> shows the device <b>30</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> with the addition of a combined base <b>48</b> and drip edge <b>44</b> forming a tray (combined pan or base <b>48</b> and drip edge <b>44</b>). As above, the base <b>48</b> and drip edge <b>44</b> are preferably made of a water impervious material, like stainless steel or an equivalent thereof. The unitary or combined base <b>48</b> and drip edge <b>44</b> is positioned underneath the lower flashing portion <b>40</b>. The base <b>48</b> includes a flat horizontal portion <b>50</b> and a rear leg <b>52</b> which functions to elevate the rear section of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and direct water thereon towards and out through weep holes <b>18</b> in the outer wall <b>14</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The leg <b>52</b> may be angled at about 30 degrees. The distal end <b>46</b> of the drip edge <b>44</b> is angled almost vertically to provide a compact profile against the outer wall and urge water off of the base <b>48</b>.

p-0044<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows the device <b>30</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> with the addition of base <b>48</b> and drip edge <b>44</b> underneath flashing <b>32</b>. The base <b>48</b> includes a flat horizontal portion <b>50</b> and a rear leg <b>152</b>, which is different from the leg <b>52</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> in that the leg has a triangular shape instead of being an upturned edge. It functions similarly to that shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> to elevate the rear section of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> and direct water thereon towards and out through weep holes <b>18</b> in the outer wall <b>14</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

p-0045<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows a corner piece <b>70</b> for use with device <b>30</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) of the present invention. The corner piece <b>70</b> may be made of any suitable material, for example, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, plastic, modified bitumen, and so on. The corner piece has three main sections, namely a corner drip edge <b>72</b>, which is turned down, a horizontal main corner portion <b>74</b> and a back corner dam <b>76</b> which is raised up relative to the main portion. Extensions <b>78</b> of the main portion <b>74</b> extend under or overlap with section <b>60</b> (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref>), base <b>40</b> or flashing <b>32</b> lower portion <b>40</b> when the flashing device <b>30</b> is laid over the corner piece <b>70</b>. A corresponding inside corner piece (not shown) will also include similar features and will be used on inside corners of the cavity wall.

p-0046<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates several embodiments of the mesh bodies <b>36</b>. In particular, the mesh bodies may be an inverted wedge shape (inverted trapezoidal) <b>80</b>, a wedge shape (trapezoidal) <b>82</b>, wine glass shape <b>84</b> and triangular <b>86</b>, for example.

p-0047In use and referring to at least <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>2</b> and <b>8</b>, the back corner dam <b>76</b> portion of the corner piece <b>70</b> is positioned against the inner wall <b>12</b> and atop the foundation <b>24</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) or the like at a corner thereof with the drip edge <b>72</b> extending outwardly over the outermost edge of the corner of the foundation <b>24</b>. The corner piece <b>70</b> may be fixed in position with caulk or the like or any other suitable method. The base <b>48</b> is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the corner piece <b>70</b> atop the foundation <b>24</b> and similarly sealed and/or fixed into position with caulk or the like.

p-0048The flashing member <b>32</b>, which may be in an initial folded condition, i.e., with tabs <b>34</b> and mesh <b>36</b> inside the folded upper and lower flashing portions <b>42</b>, <b>40</b>, is positioned longitudinally along the foundation <b>24</b> over the base <b>48</b>. It will be understood that the base <b>48</b> may be provided pre-attached to the underside of the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> or separately. Initially, the lower flashing portion <b>40</b> is placed on the foundation and then the upper flashing portion <b>42</b> is raised against wall <b>12</b>. If a backing material (not shown) is used to protect a pressure sensitive adhesive on the flashing device <b>30</b>, it is removed just prior to positioning the flashing <b>32</b>. Furthermore, the flashing member <b>32</b> may be secured in place with adhesive, fasteners, caulk and so on or held in place by the weight of the device until bricks of the wall <b>10</b> are put into place.

p-0049The weep tabs <b>324</b> are aligned with the position of the weep holes <b>18</b> of the outer wall <b>14</b>. Adjacent flashing units <b>30</b> or flashing device <b>32</b> are sealed at abutting portions, i.e., at the end dams <b>58</b> to prevent or reduce leakage at the joints between units.